The Upper Onny Wildlife Group has been active in South Shropshire since 2004, offering interested local residents a chance to carry out surveys of important, rare and declining species with guidance and training from experienced experts.
The group covers an area of about 122 square kilometres most of which falls within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and works on a range of species including Lapwing, Curlew, Dipper, Barn Owl, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Mountain Pansy.
Surveys of breeding Lapwing on farmland in the area have shown a worrying downward trend in the Upper Onny Area since 2004, with the small number of young successfully fledged each year insufficient to maintain the existing, remnant population of between 13 and 18 breeding pairs. It was thought that breeding Lapwing would probably become extinct in the local area without swift action to dramatically improve and increase available habitat.
The Upper Onny Wildlife Group is working with Natural England, the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, Shropshire County Council and other organisations from the Shropshire Biodiversity Partnership to advise farmers on farm management for the benefit of all farmland wildlife.
As a direct result, positive changes have already been made on two farms where Agri-environment agreements have been enhanced to provide protection for breeding Lapwing. In 2008 there was a small local rise in breeding Lapwing numbers on appropriately managed farms, showing the effectiveness of community action and suggesting that the species may have a future in the Upper Onny Area if positive changes in farmland management continue.
Curlew, another ground nesting farmland bird, have been going through a similar decline in the Upper Onny Area and are likely to be extinct locally within the next ten years. The timing of preparing and cutting hay or silage appears to be a major factor in limiting breeding success in Curlew and a ‘Please Conserve Our Curlews’ campaign has been launched to advise local farmers on how they can alter their methods to protect breeding Curlew.
The Upper Onny Wildlife Group is holding a public event on 3 March 2009 to present the results of survey work from 2004 to 2008 and to consider a vision for Upper Onny Valley. The evening includes talks from Peter Carty of the National Trust and Tom Wall from Natural England, these organisations are two of the major land managers in the Upper Onny Area. All are welcome although confirmation of attendance is requested.
For more information, please visit the Natural Shropshire website by following the link on this page.
John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for sustainability, said: “The Upper Onny Wildlife Group is doing a great job making local residents and landowners aware of declining numbers of the county’s important species. I hope their work will continue to bring good results and conserve these creatures for future generations.”
3 March 2009